small bowel
Nutrient absorption tube
The small bowel is the small intestine—the long, coiled tube between the stomach and large intestine where most digestion and nutrient absorption occurs.
The term appears primarily in medical contexts: The CT scan revealed a small bowel obstruction.
Doctors may refer to the small bowel rather than small intestine when discussing pathology or surgical procedures.
Initial small intestine
- jejunumSecond small intestine portion
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- mesenteryTissue suspending intestines internally
- mucosaMoist organ lining
submucosa · muscularis · serosa · villi · microvilli · lumen · crypts of Lieberkühn
Partially digested stomach contents
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
- amylaseStarch-digesting enzyme
lipase · protease · trypsin · pancreatic juice · hydrolysis · lactase · maltase · sucrase
Intestinal absorptive protrusions
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
- vitaminsEssential organic nutrients
permeability · bioavailability · monosaccharides · glycerol · portal vein
Autoimmune intestinal gluten reaction
- Crohn's diseaseChronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- enteritisSmall intestine inflammation
- ileitisIleum swelling condition
- malabsorptionFailed intestinal nutrient uptake
obstruction · ileus · adhesions · giardiasis · stricture · perforation · ischemia · lymphoma
Internal organ examination
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- gastroenterologyStudy of digestive organs
- laparoscopyMinimally invasive abdominal examination
- resectionSurgical tissue removal
duodenum
Initial small intestine
- jejunumSecond small intestine portion
- ileumLast small intestine segment
- mesenteryTissue suspending intestines internally
mucosa · submucosa · muscularis · serosa · villi · microvilli · lumen · crypts of Lieberkühn
chyme
Partially digested stomach contents
- peristalsisInvoluntary digestive muscle waves
- enzymesReaction-speeding proteins
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
amylase · lipase · protease · trypsin · pancreatic juice · hydrolysis · lactase · maltase · sucrase · peptidase
villi
Intestinal absorptive protrusions
- microvilliMicroscopic membrane protrusions
- electrolytesConducting ions in solution
- mineralsInorganic natural solids
vitamins · permeability · bioavailability · monosaccharides · glycerol · portal vein
celiac disease
Autoimmune intestinal gluten reaction
- Crohn's diseaseChronic intestinal inflammation disorder
- enteritisSmall intestine inflammation
- ileitisIleum swelling condition
malabsorption · obstruction · ileus · adhesions · giardiasis · stricture · perforation · ischemia · lymphoma · carcinoid
endoscopy
Internal organ examination
- biopsyTissue sample for diagnosis
- gastroenterologyStudy of digestive organs
- laparoscopyMinimally invasive abdominal examination
small bowellarge bowel
Terminal digestive tube
colon · large intestine · cecum · rectum · ascending colon